UNICEF and MGA WATER seal partnership for newborn health

Dr. Ara Babloyan, Head of the Parliamentary Commission on Health Issues, Laylee Moshiri, UNICEF Representative, Veronika Baghdasaryan, MGA Water Company Executive Director at the St.Virgin Maternity in one of Yerevan's disadantaged districts.

YEREVAN, Armenia - 21 April 2009

MGA Water, one of the main suppliers of drinking water on the Armenian market, is joining UNICEF and the Ministry of Health to support on-going efforts to improve newborn health and help reduce the number of children dying during the first month of their life. “MGA Water” LLC will be donating a portion of its monthly revenues to UNICEF for procurement of essential supplies and equipment for maternities in Yerevan and other provinces of Armenia, the company and UNICEF representatives announced today at St. Astvatsamayr Maternity in Yerevan.

“According to The State of the World’s Children 2009, in Armenia, roughly 22 infants per 1,000 live births die before their first birthday. Approximately 80% of these deaths are during the first 28 days of life – the neonatal period Most of these deaths could have been prevented, had timely and proper neonatal care and resuscitation services been provided to those children,“ UNICEF Representative in Armenia Laylee Moshiri stressed.

“MGA Water’s monthly donations will help ensure that maternities are adequately equipped and health providers have required knowledge and skills to provide proper care for newborns when necessary,” UNICEF Representative said.

Among factors contributing to the problem in Armenia are poor antenatal and neonatal care, lack of qualified staff and lack of basic equipment. ”No financial crisis or any other reason can deprive a child of the right to survival,” Veronika Baghdasaryan, MGA Water Director,” stressed.

As a company bearing social responsibility towards the Armenian society and future generations, MGA Water will not limit itself to providing assistance only to one maternity, but will do its best to support the improvement of conditions at other maternities throughout Armenia, Baghdasaryan said, adding that “MGA Water’s numerous customers are already making their contribution to the improvement of conditions at maternities and promoting children’s right to survival, by buying “Clear Water”.

“Interventions need not be expensive. Better routine maternal and newborn care, including the promotion of breast feeding and the provision of adequate services including availability of basic equipment will help,” UNICEF and MGA Water LLC representatives said.